How to Grow Red Hot Poker Plant or Torch Lily
Perennial, Tritoma
Drought and heat tolerant Red Hot Poker plants are easy to grow. They
will do well in mid summer's heat, when other plants have wilted. They are
great for arid, and semi-arid areas. You may know Red Hot Poker by another
name. It is also called Torch Lily and Poker Plant. They are native to South
Africa.
Red Hot Poker grows two to five feet high, depending upon variety. The leaves
are long, thin and dagger-like. They produce flowered spikes from spring
through fall, as long as you deadhead
the spent spikes. Flower colors include the ever popular red (of course!),
orange, coral, cream and yellow. It should come as no surprise that Hummingbirds
like the tubular florets.
Red Hot Poker plants look their best when grown in clumps, and displaying
lots of blooms. Check the height of the variety you purchase, to determine
where it best fits in your mixed flower garden. We also suggest they are
placed within easy viewing, so you won't miss the Hummingbirds when they
visit!
Propagation:
Red Hot Poker plants are grown from seeds. They can be directly seeded into
your flower garden, or seeded indoors for transplanting later. Sow Red Hot
Poker seeds early in the season, and cover lightly with 1/4" of fine garden
or potting soil.
Ideal plant spacing is 18" -24". Thin or transplant seedlings, if needed,
when they reach 2". They will tolerate a little crowding.
Established plants can also be propagated by plant division. Separate in
spring or late fall. Replant in desired location, with the crowns at
or just below the soil level.
How to Grow Red Hot Poker Plants:
Red Hot Poker plants are very easy to grow. The like full sun. They prefer
loose, rich soil that drains well. It is important to avoid wet soils,
as the crowns can rot. Mix in compost when planting, if your soil is not
rich. Add a general purpose fertilizer when planting them, then once a month
after that.
Once your Red Hot Poker are established, they should grow well with few problems.
They will grow on their own with little care or attention. Just make
sure to view them often, to enjoy their brilliant blooms. And, if you're
growing red Hot Pokers, you will likely find Hummingbirds. They are attracted
to the tubular flowers. Red is best color for attracting Hummingbirds.
Flower spikes will begin to bloom in the spring.
Deadhead the spent spikes, to promote
continuous blooms all the way to fall. Remove the entire
spike.
Red Hot Poker plants are heat and drought tolerant. But, we do recommend
watering them during the driest periods of summer. They will do
well in mid-summer's heat.
In cold weather areas, add 2-3 inches of mulch before winter to protect the
crowns.
Insect and Disease:
Insect and disease problems are uncommon.
More Information:
Buy Red Hot Poker seeds
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